Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I have done a little astrophotography and would like to do more. I am considering the MSM motor tracker and the Unistellar eVscope2. I would appreciate any insight into the pros and cons of each, as well as experienced based opinions of preference. Does not appear that one can attach a camera body to the eVscope. Not sure if I am correct. I shoot with Z9, D850 and I have all of the 2.0 and 2.8 lenses. Light pollution is a a big factor. I live in a suburb of Detroit in the winter (light polluted) and Nantucket in the summer (not light polluted).
I did search the Astro section and did not see anything posted.
Thank you
RL

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

I have looked into the MSM device and it strikes me as useful for lightweight bodies and lenses.

Had never heard of unistellar so I just looked it up. Very interesting concept. This is an enhanced device primarily for viewing rather than photography. All alt azimuth products have issues with the field rotating even if a given star is tracking. Photos work better from an equatorial style tracking mount.

The 2 leading models for serious astro photography (without getting so serious that you are spending thousands on cameras, mounts etc) are the sky watcher star adventurer and the ioptron sky guider pro. Both have payload capacities of 11-13 lbs and enable exposures of 2 mins or longer even with long lenses.

Most who post in this section know little to nothing about the nuances of astro work other than the terrestial astro blends. Look into the astro section located here and then ask for more specialized knowledge.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Thank you! Perfect response and the kind of info I am searching for. Camera and lens weight is a concern and since I already have the cameras and lenses, the drive cost is less important.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Some extra information. If you have good solid photo tripod and ball head you can use those in the setup. I use the Ioptron model and have mounted a D850 with older manual Nikon 500 f4 lens successfully. I just got the 500 pf and that looks like it will work out even better because sharper & lighter.

Both models are priced so the full outfit is between $425-$500. These cameras clearly resolve things that astronomers using 8 inch scopes are seeing as just smudges of light. There are lots of ways things can go wrong but if you enjoy the technical side of photography this is a lot of fun.

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

I currently use a MSM tracker. I used to use a iOptron Sky Guider Pro, with the extension bar and counterweight with a Nikon D 850 and Sigma Art 14-24 2.8 and Williams Optics wedge. Since most of my Milky Way photography involves carrying my equipment a little way, the iOptron, bar and counterweight got very heavy pretty fast. When the MSM tracker came out I bought one. I love it. To lessen weight on the tracker I use a small Sirui B-00 ballhead on it, and it works great. Since the MSM is pretty inexpensive, I bought a second one in case I burned out the first one as I was approaching the advised weight limit. I have used the MSM for probably 2 hours straight on 6 different outings without any issues. I normally shoot 90 second exposures and it tracks very well with only the latitude as marked on the Williams Optics wedge and north alignment via cell phone and a bracket on the MSM. I do not like the MSM wedge, it feels imprecise and has no latitude markings. The Williams Optics is heavier and more expensive but in this case you get what you pay for. The MSM Z bracket is well made and a good value if you need one. To reduce my carrying weight and to reduce the load on the MSM, I got a Nikon Z7 ii and the new Nikon Z 14-24 2.8 S. I can only hope it is as good as my Sigma Art, I know its about a pound lighter :). Hope this helps. Cheers. Alan.

JBRIII

There are a couple of other makers of similar scopes, see Stellena for another. Basically they are an all-in-one setup: telescope, mount, camera and software. I checked out this one and like the others it does not appear you can change the eyepiece, this definitely true for the Stellena, the camera is the eyepiece and is not changeable, think of them as one fixed lens camera geared to deep space objects, galaxies, nebula, etc. This one says it has an electronic eyepiece (camera) with digital zoom, not same as changing magnification by changing eyepieces. The whole thing is also tied to the computer so if you could put in a standard eyepiece, then no stars for tracking to follow, etc. Also, note no photo shows anyone looking thru scope, i.e., photos to cell phone or such for viewing.
There are differences between the makers: reflectors versus refractors, Stellina uses a build in light filter, this one uses background subtraction according to the specs., etc.
As to attaching a camera, maybe if was perfectly balanced on tube, but I sincerely doubt anything but a very small action camera would be recommended, motor overload! Also, could not be wider than tube or closing of scope could be bad news for scope and maybe your camera.
Few good points and bad:
Easy to setup and use, a few momemts.
Designed for deep space objects: moon on Stellena fills camera, planets are tiny. Some objects huge require mosaics.
Limited, good or bad, to what software/hardware allows. For example, a light pollution filter can work really well in bad lighting, but would still reduce light in a non-polluted area. This one would not do the latter, but the camera could be overwhemed in a really poor area by too much light. Can be moved around easily for shooting different parts of sky on treed property.

Hope this helps, I have tried to be circumspect since I am only interpreting what Nikon says. At 3-4000 each, don't think you'll find many people with 2 different ones for comparing.
Jim

guyweech Loc: southern Idaho

I have a move shoot move and have done some milky way photos of 4minites with no or little star blurring using 24mm 1.4 at 3.5 and 640 asa using a heavy dlsr and lense wiyh no problems even went with a 90 mm lense.

Nickaroo

I live in Michigan also. I took my D750 and converted it to use exclusively on My Celestron. I use it at my place that is right on LK. Superior. The images that I get are incredible and this year I surpassed the $55,000 mark. But I don't care about that, I just love my images. You name it, I have it. Good Luck because you will enjoy it.

BArthur3

I have the original EVScope -- obtained as an original funder of the Kick Starter program. First off, it's probably better described as an "imager" vs a pure/"simple" telescope -- in most cases, images (effectively created with a process akin to stacking -- and taking [some] time to create) are intended for viewing on something like an iPad. The design does not allow changing of eye pieces or incorporation of something like an external camera -- the device itself is effectively the camera. In fact originally it was not envisioned to be used regularly as a direct view telescope -- only once into development did its capabilities as a direct view telescope become apparent. The EVS2 now incorporates upgraded direct view capabilities via Nikon electro-optical functionality. But still all functionality is built into the scope itself -- it still doesn't offer the capability of doing something like changing eye pieces or using a separate camera. I still really like my original model -- but yes I have been contemplating upgrading.

MDI Mainer

I can say the MSM star tracker works exceptionally well with my Sony A6100 and Samyang 12mm f2.0 lens, but both are very compact and light in weight.